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Naig says Congress has wasted enough time
As the government shutdown drags into its twenty-eighth day, frustration across the country is boiling over. From farmers waiting on FSA offices to reopen, to families relying on SNAP benefits, real Americans are paying the price while Congress remains stuck in its own political bubble. The gridlock in Washington has become more than just a nuisance; it is a growing crisis with consequences that deepen by the day. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says the patience of rural America has...
Every soybean grower needs an SCN management plan
The Soybean cyst nematode or SCN is a top enemy of every soybean grower. The pathogen is the most destructive soybean pest in the country and it often hides in plain sight. The nematode can be present in a soybean field but the grower might not realize the destructive...
Mandatory base acre update creates “winners and losers”
For more than 20 years and the last four farm bills, farm program payments were based on a farm’s historical planted acreage, or base acres, and not on actual plantings each year. Several agricultural groups and stakeholders are pushing for an update to base acres in...
Pork consumption slowing globally
Consumption of our commodities is what sets the tone for our supply and demand ratios that set our prices. Pork is not exempt from this phenomenon. We spent much of the year with low prices which meant that suppliers were holding on to large amounts of product which...
Tips for controlling tar spot and maximizing yield
Tar spot was first identified in the United States nearly 10 years ago. Unfortunately, growers in the corn belt are much more familiar with this yield robber in 2023 after several growing seasons of dealing with yield loss from tar spot pressure.Unfortunately, the...
House farm bill will address California’s Prop 12
The House Ag Committee Chair says he plans to use the upcoming farm bill to deal with California’s Prop 12 that was upheld by the Supreme Court. Roll Call says pork producers across the country have said this will lead to patchwork laws between states that will...
U.S. Export Sales Report (8-3-23)
This week’s export sales were neutral, but that’s definitely not from a lack of sales action, especially in new crop soybeans. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride provided a breakdown of this week’s report.Flash sales have also been popping up here and there,...
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More Ag News
Corteva says don’t skimp on weed control in 2024
As we come out of 2023 and the varied weather we saw across the entire cornbelt, especially the drought we had in the west; we need to be prepared to protect our crops in 2024. Unless a miracle happens and the drought breaks quickly, we can expect our crops to start...
Merck helping producers mitigate bovine respiratory disease
One of the top diseases that cattle producers need to look out for is bovine respiratory disease (BRD). On top of the health risks BRD poses to the cattle, it also adds stress and limits their gains. Tim Parks, cattle technical services manager with Merck Animal...
Promotions showcase U.S. pork loin to consumers in Mexico
With one month of data still to be reported, U.S. pork exports to Mexico have already set an annual record for 2023. January-November exports to Mexico totaled more than 995,000 metric tons, up 13% year-over-year, while value was 15% higher at $2.12 billion. While...
Top ag legal issues to monitor in 2024
2023 was a year of significant developments and changes on the legal front of agriculture. Harrison Pittman, director of the Ag Law Center, says 2024 could be more of the same with issues such as the endangered species act taking center stage. The Waters of the U.S....
Farmland market is “resilient”
The Farmers National Company says the farmland market seems to be moving into the new year maintaining the value increases it’s built during the last three years. That stability is in place despite increasing pressure from declining commodity markets, rising interest...
